LE34 is Denmark’s largest provider of surveying and land management services. Across 31 offices in the Nordic region, its team helps pave the way for major climate, construction, and infrastructure projects.
As trusted NavVis users, LE34 received early access to NavVis CLX. During early-access sessions, Henrik Kjær, Head of Department, and Simone Starup, Chartered Land Surveyor, shared their first impressions of the new system, including its portability, data quality, and where they see it fitting within their existing reality capture toolkit.
The following statements are based on feedback gathered during early-access customer sessions with Henrik Kjær and Simone Starup at LE34. Quotes have been lightly edited for clarity, brevity, and readability while preserving the original intent.
A faster, even more flexible way to capture
LE34 already relies on NavVis technology across projects ranging from large development and construction sites to smaller private sites. The immediate value its experts highlight is speed and flexibility in the field, with NavVis VLX serving as their everyday scanner of choice.
“One of the benefits is flexibility and much faster data collection. We can do basically all of our projects with NavVis technology, and it cuts data collection time to a fraction of what it was before – around 10%.”
The team views the use of SLAM technology as a deliberate choice that improves work efficiency while still delivering high-quality results.
“NavVis technology is fast, and we achieve a high level of quality – more than enough for most projects.”
NavVis CLX completes the picture as a natural extension of the NavVis portfolio.
Small, light, and easy to handle
First impressions of the new device centered on its compact size and lightweight design, as well as its comfort and ease of use, offering a level of portability and maneuverability that differentiates it from other handheld devices. For surveyors who spend long days on their feet, the lighter form factor – along with the added freedom of movement it provides – is a real benefit.
“Walking around with other handhelds all day can be quite tough on my body. This system is ideal because it’s small and handy. It doesn’t weigh much – which is very valuable in narrow spaces and when capturing areas around objects and obstacles.”
Reaching the spaces other scanners can’t
A consistent theme was the device’s ability to access awkward or confined areas that are difficult to reach with existing equipment.
“I can see how you’d use it to get into spaces where we normally can’t go, even with NavVis MLX – above high ceilings and in places like that. And it’s certainly more flexible than a terrestrial scanner on a telescopic pole.”
For taller members of the team in particular, the compact form factor offers a practical advantage:
“I’m a tall guy, so I have difficulty getting through doors and vaults. This looks like my future choice of scanner to always bring with me – I can get around narrow spaces, behind doors, and below or above objects.”
Data that exceeded expectations
Seeing the device’s results was a highlight. Both experts had expected more noise from a small SLAM-based system and were impressed by how clean the outputs appeared.
“I was quite impressed with how crisp the data is. With handheld SLAM, I’d usually expect more noise, but the lines you get from this system are impressively thin.”
While some rounding of edges and minor noise were noted – as is common with any point cloud – the results were considered clearly fit for purpose, especially when complemented by quality imagery.
“Overall, the data seemed very sharp to me, and I see this system as an obvious choice for area calculations.”
The right tool for area referencing
In fact, the clearest fit emerged around area referencing and floor plan creation, where speed and coverage are the main priorities. For this type of application, the device is seen as an ideal match.
“This system is well suited for people who work with floor plans and calculate square footage. You don’t have the same need for accuracy or detail, but you collect a lot of high-quality data very quickly.”
This positioning also reflects how differently the device integrates into each surveyor’s workflow: for high-detail BIM capture, it serves as a valuable complementary tool, while for area-focused projects – such as condos and buildings below 2,000 square meters – it can take on a more central role.
“I work with high-precision scans, so for me it’s an add-on to reach places I can’t get to with NavVis VLX or a terrestrial scanner. For colleagues focusing on areas, it can be even more effective.”
A natural complement to the existing toolkit
Neither expert sees the device as a replacement for their primary scanner. Instead, its portability and lower cost make it an attractive complement that can be carried alongside their main equipment of choice. This ease of transport emerged as a key part of its appeal, simplifying the logistics of everyday jobs.
“I would never change my NavVis VLX because I love having it in my toolbox. But I can easily see this device as a supplement for quickly walking around inside a building or for unplanned work. The lower price point makes it affordable to have with you, without needing to transport a big box of measuring equipment.”
Looking ahead: hybrid workflows
Looking to the future, the team sees reality capture moving towards hybrid workflows that combine multiple data sources.
“The future of scanning is a hybrid world. Combining these systems with RTK would give you direct geo-referencing and valuable add-ons – I think it’s the right direction.”
They also expect devices like this to become lighter and even more mobile over time, expanding accessibility and making reality capture easier for a wider range of users.
“It’s a nice, little compact scanner. And yes, women do exist in the surveying world – so can we get it in pink? Just a joke.”
“It’s handier and lighter, so you don’t need to be a big guy to walk around with it – anyone can.”
Summary
For LE34, the new device is a lightweight, flexible, and affordable addition to a toolkit built around NavVis technology. Its strengths – easy handling, access to confined spaces, and surprisingly clean data – make it especially well-suited to area referencing and floor plan work, where speed is a priority, while quality remains important.
Rather than replacing established scanners, it complements them: a handy, portable tool that surveyors can carry anywhere and turn to for smaller, everyday jobs. The team sees it fitting naturally into the hybrid, increasingly mobile direction they expect the industry to take.
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